USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > A history of the Goshenhoppen Reformed charge, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727-1819) > Part 13
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While pastor at Catskill, Mr. Weiss was married by the Rev. Petrus Van Driessen on November 25, 1733, to Anna Broenckh, daughter of John Broenckh, one of his parishioners, in her father's house. Weiss himself en- tered the record of the marriage into the marriage register at Catskill. The couple had no children.
The time of Mr. Weiss's removal from the State of
158
159
George Michael Weiss
New York is fixed as about June, 1746, in a letter of Schlatter to the Synodical Deputies, dated October 3, 1746. The letter itself is no longer in existence, but an elaborate abstract of it was inserted in the Minutes of the Synodical Deputies, from which we take the following statement, regarding Schlatter's visit to Old Goshenhop- pen on September 20, 1746. He writes :
On September 20th he [Schlatter] preached in the nearly com- pleted stone church at Old Goshenhoppen from II. Chron. 15: 1, 2. To this place Do. Weiss was called from Albany and has now [September 1746] been pastor there for three or four months. Here he [Schlatter] attempted to restore order, but he could not persuade the congregation at New Goshenhoppen to unite with Great Swamp for this purpose, because they allowed themselves to be served by a hireling, Miller (who had been a schoolmaster at Steticheim155 near Mayence in the Palatinate), although there was hope for this [union] in the future.
The same time of removal is indicated in the first part of Schlatter's private journal, dated December 15, 1746, and published by the writer in the Journal of the Presby- terian Historical Society.156 There we read :
Do. Weiss returned about six months ago from Esopus in the government of [New] York, for fear of the war about Canada and at the request of the congregation at Goshenhoppen. He is now willing to remain with his wife in Pennsylvania.
To complete the evidence about Weiss's coming to Pennsylvania, we may add the passage from Schlatter's Diary, as printed by Dr. Harbaugh in his "Life of Rev. Michael Schlatter " :157
155 This name has not been transcribed correctly from the Minutes of the Deputies or from Schlatter's letter, for an inquiry at Mayence brought the answer that there is no such place near Mayence.
156 Journal of P. H. S., Vol. III, p. 108.
157 Life of Rev. Schlatter, p. 132 f.
160
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
Mr. Weiss, who several months ago, had fled from his church at Rhinebeck near Albany in New York, from fear of war, had come hither on invitation of this and other congregations in this vicinity. He is also beloved by many, yet, on account of the ad- herents of the one who had irregularly thrust himself into the service of the church, it is necessary still to exercise great prudence.
On October 12, 1746, Weiss met with Schlatter, Boehm and Rieger at Philadelphia for a preliminary conference with a view to perfecting an organization of the Reformed churches and ministers in Pennsylvania. "This was the first assembly in which these Reverend Brethren had all been together, notwithstanding one and another of them had already been laboring about 20 years in this part of the Lord's vineyard."158
On October 19, 1746, Schlatter, Boehm and Weiss met at New Goshenhoppen in order to overcome, if possible, the division existing there through the presence of Fred- erick Casimir Mueller. But although Schlatter succeeded in ascertaining the number of Mueller's and Weiss's ad- herents, being eighteen and thirty heads of families re- spectively, and although the latter promised fifteen pounds and thirty bushels of wheat to Do. Weiss's salary, yet Mueller could not be dislodged. It was probably not till 1748, when the baptismal record of Weiss begins at New Goshenhoppen, that Mueller withdrew, although he con- tinued to make occasional visits till April, 1750.
Schlatter's estimate of Weiss was quite favorable in 1746, for in the first part of his private diary, dated De- cember, 1746, he reported to Holland:159
Do. George Michael Weiss is now minister at the above men- tioned places. He is, as far as I can see, innocent in the affair
158 L. c., p. 136.
159 Journal of P. H. S., Vol. III, p. 117.
161
Weiss at Coetus of 1747
with J. Reif, for the latter always received the money, according to his own confession. Moreover Do. Weiss has asked him a thou- sand times for God's sake to settle this matter. His Reverence has otherwise a good reputation in this country and Do. Boehm himself told me, that Do. Weiss has always carried himself as a quiet, dili- gent, sober and orthodox minister. He also took the trouble to travel with me to " Tolpehaken " and " Canastoke."
Mich. Schlatter Eals 98 Chriffe colligitar Philadelphia i America Safton.
At the first meeting of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, held from September 29 to October 2, 1747, at Philadelphia, George Michael Weiss was present with delegates of his three congregations, namely, Christian Schneider and Daniel Hister, of Old Goshenhoppen, John Huth and Philip Ried, of New Goshenhoppen, and John Huber and Nicholas Montbauer of Great Swamp.
From the second meeting of Coetus, held on September 29, 1748, at Philadelphia, Weiss was absent. But shortly afterwards, on December 12, 1748, he sent a letter to Schlatter, excusing his absence because of sickness. In this letter he makes the following report regarding his congregations :160
In my congregations nothing of importance has taken place. They are quite harmonious. They only lack money in order to pay for the newly built church at Old Goshenhoppen and to give their minister his salary according to promise. For I have not yet been fully paid for the first year and now am still expecting the salary of almost a year and a half. The conditions with regard to this are very bad. The one pays, the other does not. Many
100 Hague Archives, 74, 1, 51 (19).
12
162
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
depend upon the promised help from Holland. I stand on a very loose footing. If my congregations will not be able to give me my dues, I shall not be able to stay, but must seek my fortune elsewhere.
With regard to the debt resting on the Old Goshen- hoppen church, Schlatter states in his private diary that it amounted to about 600 guilders or about 240 dollars. 161
The Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran record states with regard to this subject :
As to the cost of the church nothing certain is at hand, because in the first place the two congregations have helped and given much, and the next place other friends also have contributed their share.
And again :
As to the interior finishing of the church, on July 12, 1748, a joint contract was made by the two congregations with the car- penter to make and paint the seats and gallery for 15 pounds.
The pulpit was ordered and presented by Gabriel Schuler, Re- formed.
The story as to how the church debt was finally paid is given in the Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran record as fol- lows :
In the year 1751 there remained 30 pounds of church debts and, after consultation, we deemed it proper to send out collectors by the Evangelical Lutherans alone, because each congregation had its separate debts. Hence on November 7, 1751, the beginning was made by two collectors appointed for the purpose, who brought home on the 14th of December of this year 13 pounds and 14 shillings, not counting 1/3 of the proceeds which went to the col- lectors. For this may the rich Lord bless all benevolent givers in body and soul.
Anno 1752, two joint collectors were sent out, one by the Lu-
161 Journal of P. H. S., Vol. III, p. 170.
163
Goshenhoppen in 1750
therans, the other by the Reformed, in order to collect contribu- tions in the State of New York. They returned in this year, as our exclusive third part, 11 pounds, 3 shillings and 9 pence.
At the Coetus meeting held in 1749 at Lancaster, Weiss acted as secretary.
In the year 1750 two important events occurred which stirred the congregations deeply.
On May 1, 1750, the following notice appeared in Saur's Germantown newspaper, called Pennsylvanische Berichte :
It is reported from Goshenhoppen that there is a woman who has left two husbands that are still living and wanted to marry the third man. There are in that district three preachers, the one was so white [play on the name Weiss] that he would not marry the pair, but the other [play on the name Andre] who had before married the good woman to another man hesitated indeed, because the second husband lived so near, but the bridegroom, knowing that everything can be obtained from some people for money, heaven and salvation, Christ and forgiveness of sin, offered no small remuneration for the marriage. The reverend minister was pleased to accept and married them in the name of God, without proclamation (otherwise there might have been some objection) for 30 shillings. The farmers in his three congregations were startled, not knowing whether all their wives might not be married away to others. They formed a church council and consistory, deposed their minister, for they preferred to be out of danger.
In June, 1750, the Goshenhoppen region was startled by a murder. The wife of one of its most respected citi- zens, David Schultz162 (whose tomb is in the New Gosh- enhoppen Reformed churchyard) was brutally slain by one of her servants.
162 For a sketch of David Schultz's life, see the PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN, Vol. IX, pp. 499-505.
164
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
George Schultz, his wife and their son David arrived in Philadelphia with the ship Pennsylvania Merchant, John Stedman, captain, on September 18, 1733. They settled in the Perkiomen Region. On October 29, 1745, David Schultz married Anna Rosina, daughter of Abra- ham Beyer. In May, 1749, he bought 180 acres and 60 perches of land for 72 pounds 3 shillings, lying in Upper Hanover township, what is now East Greenville, Pa.
As he was a surveyor, David Schultz was much away from home. During his absence the management of the farm naturally fell to his wife. In June, 1750, he had a servant, Hans Ulrich Sailer, whom his father-in-law, Abraham Beyer, had brought with him from Holland during the previous summer, on condition that he serve him seven years for the passage money. He was a Swiss boy, of a lazy and surly disposition. David Schultz thought that he could manage him with kindness, hence he took him and his indenture along to his farm. His wife found fre- quent occasion to urge him to do his work better. After- wards the young man claimed she even slapped his face, which may not be true. At any rate he took a decided dis- like to his mistress and determined to get even with her.
In the night of June 14, 1750, he climbed through a window into her bedroom with a long, pointed knife. But as she turned around in bed, he left the room again. After some time he entered the second time but she turned again. On his third entry he found everything quiet. Then he stabbed her in the neck, cutting the jugular vein. After thus satisfying his revenge, he ran out and hid in a neighbor's haystack. Mrs. Schultz rose from her bed and went downstairs to call for help, but fell at the foot of the stairs upon her face, where she was found dead the next day. The murderer was soon caught and confessed every-
165
Anna Rosina Schultz
thing. He was taken to Philadelphia, where he was placed on trial and found guilty of murder on October 22. He was executed by hanging on Wednesday, November 13, 1750.163
Close to the New Goshenhoppen church is the tomb of Mrs. Schultz, with this inscription :
Anna Rosina Schultzin Murdered June 14, A.D. 1750. Aged 29 years. Funeral Text : Jeremiah 9: 21.
In 1750 and 1751 the people at New Goshenhoppen made the first effort to secure a deed for their minister's farm. The details have fortunately been preserved by David Schultz, who interested himself more than any other in securing the property for the congregation. On Feb- ruary 3, 1776, he sent a letter to Mr. Rundle164 regarding this land, from which the following statements are taken :
After all the land had been surveyed to the settlers thereof, agreeable the general agreement this tract was left vacant.
Sometime before the general agreement was made, Edward Scull was ordered to survey the greatest part of his 13,000 acres, but after the general agreement was made and the remaining surveys were to be completed, he not having time to do it himself, ordered me to finish the remainder, under his examination ; which was done and [I was] employed with the Mr. Parsons, Ross and Greenway. I accordingly surveyed the tract now in question on the 19th No-
163 The story of Mrs. Schultz's murder and of the trial and execution of her murderer is given at length in Saur's Pennsylvanische Berichte of July 16, 1750, November 1 and 16, 1750; cf. also Colonial Records, Vol. V, p. 488. The New Goshenhoppen record shows that David Schultz mar- ried his second wife, Elizabeth Lar, on June 27, 1758. This union was blessed with four daughters.
164 This letter was first printed in the Daily Norristown Register of March 6, 1883. It was reprinted in the Penn Germania, Vol. I, pp. 364-368.
166
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
vember 1750, for the said congregation, in the presence of the elders or church wardens thereof, containing 42 acres, with allow- ance (of six acres per hundred for roads) at their request, with an intention to build a house thereon for their minister to live in, and continually to keep this same for such use forever.
Also with intention, when it should suit them, to agree and pay for the land, with the above named three gentlemen.
They immediately built a dwelling house and stable on it, dug a well and began to clear some land in the spring 1751. Their minister came to live there with his negro family; at his request the congregation allowed him for his better support to clear some more land. He continued from time to time with cleaning, though sometimes forbid by the congregation, till almost all was cleared a few acres excepted.
In August, 1752, Mr. Weiss and other Reformed min- isters hastened to Philadelphia to welcome Schlatter and the six young ministers, whom he had brought from Hol- land. Their arrival was an event of great importance165 for the Reformed church in Pennsylvania and was fittingly marked by a meeting of all the Reformed ministers in the province at Philadelphia, from August 10 to 13, 1752.
On September 2, 1752, Rev. John Philip Leydich, pas- tor at Falkner Swamp, sent a letter to Rev. Jacob Lischy,
165 The importance of this event was duly recognized by a Circular Letter, issued in 1752 by Messrs. Weiss, Leydich and Lischy. It was enti- tled: Circular Schreiben der Vereinigten Reformirten Prediger in Pennsyl- vanien, an dasige sämmtliche nach Gottes Wort Reformirte Gemeinen: Darin sie kürzlich darlegen, wie der grosse Jehovah die von Sr. Ehrw. Michael Slatter, V.D.M., an unsere Hochw. Christl. Kirchenväter über- nommene Commission zu ihrer Rettung und Hülfe, in Gnaden gesegnet etc. Zu Allgemeiner Nachricht herausgegeben von Georg Michael Weiss, Joh. Phil. Leydich, Jacob Lischy. Lancaster, Gedruckt bey H. Müller und S. Holland, 1752, 4to, pp. 11. The title page was published from a photo- graph taken by the writer, by Prof. Jos. H. Dubbs, in his Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, p. 165. The only known copy of the booklet is in the archives at the Hague, 74, II, 21.
167
Circular Schreiben
pastor at York, in which he refers to the third school- master at Goshenhoppen, whose name has been preserved. He writes :166
Let me add a few words, regarding the bearer of this letter,
Sircular Schreiben Der Bereinigten cformirien rediger in Vennfolvanien, an bafige famtlidje nad) SOttes 2Bort
eformirfe emeinen: Darin fre fúrshich Darlegen, Bie Der Groffe JesDou bie von Gr. Chrw. MICHAEL SLATTER, V. D. M. an untere Sochiv. Chriftl. Rirchenvater übernommene Sommifion zu ihrer Rettung une Sulfe, in (Snaden gefegnet: Und Wie folches von fothanen Gemeinen folle gebührend erPant, nur Dante fagung angenommen, und recht gebraucht, 14, sum Sebe Siesites und dem Seit ihrer unfterblichen Seckenang mande werden.
Allgemeiner Radridit herausgegeben von GEORG MICHAEI WEISS. JOH. PHIL LEYDICH, JACOB LISCHY.
namely John William Wigand, at present schoolmaster at New Goshenhoppen, a man with excellent testimonials, as their presenta- tion will show you in detail. He cannot subsist in said congre- 166 Hague Archives, 74, 1, 72 (3).
168
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
gation because of the division caused by the so-called Fritz-Mueller and Weiss parties. He has a special desire to work under the dear Brother [Lischy] and according to his instructions.
In the following year the schoolmaster at Goshenhoppen received £5 s.8 support from the donations sent from Holland.167
In 1752 five hundred folio Bibles, sent by the Classis of Amsterdam, were distributed among the Reformed minis- ters at the meeting of Coetus. It was resolved to place one copy of these Bibles in each pulpit and to distribute the rest among the various ministers.
It was resolved to send Do. Weiss 24 copies of the folio Bibles, one half to be sold and one half to be given to the poor, and with the same understanding the others were assigned.168
These so-called "Schlatter Bibles" are becoming ex- ceedingly scarce. None seem to have survived in the Goshenhoppen congregations. For their identification the following may be noted. As stated in the minutes of Coetus, it was a large folio Bible, printed at Basel, "im Verlag Johann Ludwig Brandmüllers, im Jahre Christi MDCCXLVII.
When in 1753 serious dissensions arose in the Coetus, Weiss sided with Leydich, Steiner, Rubel, Waldschmidt and Wissler against Schlatter and his friends. This sepa- ration was due among other causes to the desire, as ex- pressed by Weiss, to "maintain love and peace among their congregations, inasmuch as they were not in favor of subordination to Holland and to our Coetal institu- tions and directions."169
On September 10, 1753, a convention was held by the
167 Minutes of Coctus, p. 89.
168 L. c., p. 69.
169 L. c., p. 92.
169
Holland Donations
dissatisfied ministers at the house of Mr. Weiss at Gosh- enhoppen and then an attempt was made by them to con- vene a regular Coetus at Cocalico, in Lancaster County, on October 10 to 12, 1753. At this meeting Mr. Weiss presided. But this attempt to wrest the control of Coetus from Schlatter and his friends failed, as the " Fathers" in Holland refused to recognize Weiss and his followers and threatened to withhold all donations from them. This threat was more powerful than all arguments and had the desired effect. At the Coetus, held at Philadelphia in October, 1754, a reconciliation took place and the two par- ties pledged themselves to forget their differences.
Beginning with the spring of 1753, the ample donations from Holland put ministers and schoolmasters in more comfortable circumstances. The following table shows the total amounts distributed and the share that fell to Mr. Weiss and the Goshenhoppen schoolmaster :
Year.
Total Amounts.
Weiss's Share.
Schoolmaster's
1753
£363
s. 8
£20
£5 s. 8
1754
£289
s. 7
£20
1755
£418
s.15
d.6
£35
s.15
1756
£366
S.12
£27
S.IO
1757
£357
s. 2
d.10
£27
S.IO
£1
S.IO
1758
£385
s.14
£30
£1
S.IO
1759
£339
s. 9
£30
£1
S.IO
1760-61
£337
S.17
d.10
£30
£2
1762
£321
S. 5
£10
The last amount in 1762 was given to Mr. Weiss's widow. His salary during this period amounted to 40 pounds annually.
Besides these contributions from Holland, Reformed ministers and schoolmasters shared in the benefactions of an English society, organized to maintain charity schools among the Germans in Pennsylvania. The first payment
170
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
from this source was made on June 16, 1756, when ten Reformed ministers received 91 pounds.170 Similar pay- ments followed in the next three years. At each of these occasions Weiss received ten pounds, although no charity school was established in the Goshenhoppen region.
The development of the Goshenhoppen congregations during this time cannot be followed in detail. Only at Old Goshenhoppen has the Lutheran church record pre- served some interesting details of congregational activity.
During the year 1753, beginning May 3, the churchyard was enlarged at Old Goshenhoppen and it was surrounded by new posts, clap boards and new gates were put up.
In 1754 a new stove was bought for 4 pounds. In 1755 all church debts were completely paid by the Lu- therans and let us hope by the Reformed people also. In the same year a new well and spring house were made. In 1757,
the church was improved both inside and outside with carpenter work. Five new windows with glass were inserted, new seats were put in and painted and a new roof was put on the kitchen of the schoolhouse. All was paid and the [Lutheran] congregation has still a balance of 6£ 18s. 9d.
In 1757 a long and lingering sickness befell Mr. Weiss, which made it impossible for him to attend the meetings of Coetus any longer. In October, 1759, Coetus met at Goshenhoppen "in the home of the sick Do. Weiss."
Of the year 1759 we have the first statistical report by Mr. Weiss regarding his congregations. It was sub- mitted to the Coetus that met May 28, 1760, at Falkner Swamp, and was as follows :171
170 L. c., p. 144; also p. 198.
171 As the references to the Minutes of Coetus can be located in the printed minutes without difficulty, it is not necessary to give in every case
I71
Death of Weiss
At Old Goshenhoppen Do. Weiss has 30 families, at New Gosh- enhoppen 45, and at Great Swamp, 33. In 1759 he baptized in the three congregations 60 children, and instructed 33 persons in the confession of Faith and received them as members. About the schools he could give no report.
At the meeting of Coetus on October 21 to 22, 1760, held at Germantown, the congregations of Weiss expressed their willingness " patiently to bear with his age and in- firmity."
In 1761 Weiss reported 120 families in his churches. "He baptized, during 1760 and up to the present time, 45 children and received 36 members."
This is the last reference to Weiss. He died in Au- gust, 1761. David Schultz, Esq., in a letter to Daniel Rundle, dated February 3, 1776, writes : " Anno 1761 in August, their said minister, Geo. Michael Weiss died."
Shortly before Mr. Weiss died, in May, 1761, the Great Swamp congregation made an effort to pay for its church land. Accordingly a paper was circulated (now much worn and partly torn) on which the members subscribed certain sums to pay this debt. A similar effort seems to have been made in Decmber, 1748, but was probably only partially successful. At that time the following members made subscriptions for this purpose :
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR CHURCH LAND AT GREAT SWAMP.
Anno 1748 (?), December 26th, an agreement was made by the members of our congregation that we are willing to pay for our church land. Each one gives at his own free will as follows:
Michel Köhler £ S. IO
the exact page reference. The minutes of Coetus were edited by the writer in 1903 under the title: Minutes and Letters of the Coetus of the German Reformed Congregation in Pennsylvania, 1747-1792. Reformed Church Publication Board, Philadelphia, 1903.
172
History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
Johannes Bleyler
£
s.
Johannes Huber
15
Jacob Wetzel
10
Jacob Dubs
IO
Christian Willauer
10
Paul Samsel
10
Caspar Erb
IO
Johannes Griesemer
5
Michel Nussbach
10
Alexander Diebenderfer
15
Peter Walbert
10
Ludwig Bitting
I
Abraham Ditlo
15
Henrich Hitz
5
Nickel Mombauer
IO
Henrich Huber
5
Abraham Faust
IO
Henrich Bach
5
Michel Braun
5
Peter Scholl
5
Nickel Bach
3
Philip Heger
6
Ruthe Fricki
6
Dewalt Brauchler
5
Jacob Rite
5
Michel Eberhard
10
Matheis Bischof
10
Abraham Kreither
5
Philip Brunner
5
Joseph Eberhard
I
-
David Streib
I
-
Ulrich Riser
5
Michel Hornberger
5
Conrad Zimmerman
IO
? Endross
5
? ?
IO
Total
£17
S.13
Ruthe Huber
13
Görg Lein
5
As the cost of the land was only £17 1IS. 7d., it would not have been necessary to start a second subscription list,
15
173
Subscriptions to Church Land
unless for some reason the first had not been paid, or at least had not been paid in full. The latter seems to have been the case. For on the same paper with the above sub- scription is the note :
Today, April 10, 1749, I, Michel Köhler have paid for the church land eleven pounds ten shillings and for a warrant one shil- ling and six pence.
JOHANN GEORG BLATT.
On May 30, 1761, twenty members signed £20 2s. 9d. on another subscription list. This may have been only tentative, for on June 8, 1761, still another list was signed which read as follows :
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR CHURCH LAND AT GREAT SWAMP, JUNE 6, 1761.
On June 6, 1761, we have made an agreement to pay for the church land and whatever we promise we shall faithfully keep and pay. Christian Willauer and Valentin Huber are the deputies. The head of each family signs what he will give to the Reformed congregation in Great Swamp:
£
s.
d.
Ulrich Spinner pays
2
o
O
Peder ( ?) Bleiler pays
I
Henrich Huber, the tailor pays
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